No plans to revive appointed-treasurer plan in Concord

CONCORD -- A councilwoman who pushed for Measure J said Thursday there are no immediate plans to put the issue before voters again after it failed Tuesday.

Measure J asked Concord voters to switch the position of city treasurer from elected to appointed. It lost with 15,052, or 47 percent, voting yes and 16,916, or 53 percent, voting no.

"We continue to look at it," said longtime Councilwoman Laura Hoffmeister. "The voters have said they want it elected."

The City Council voted unanimously earlier this year to put the question to voters. Proponents said it would have eliminated one position and saved the city $24,000 annually. Staff would have handled the mostly ceremonial job, proponents argued.

Thomas Wentling, who supported the measure, has held the position since 1986.

Louis Mazzarella, the only vocal opponent to the measure, said he will fight the measure again should it return in two years or at a later date. Mazzarella ran his campaign from the skilled nursing home on San Miguel Road where he lives.